Celebrate Mardi Gras with a taste of New Orleans

Celebrate Mardi Gras at the annual “Taste of New Orleans,” through March 30 at Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille.

This is the 18th consecutive year that Salmon Dave’s has transformed itself during Lent to honor the food, drink and culture of New Orleans. There are few places in Northeast Ohio to experience authentic Cajun and Creole food, according to George Schindler, managing partner of Hospitality Restaurants, which owns Salmon Dave’s. “Our guests look forward to this annual event knowing they can enjoy the soulful pleasure of New Orleans cooking,” he said.

A special menu of Cajun and Creole favorites, Bourbon Street cocktails, New Orleans jazz and a Mardi Gras theme are featured throughout the Rocky River restaurant. “The roots of this cuisine are the essence of cultural fusion,” Executive Corporate Chef Shawn Cline said. “It’s a unique blend of French, Spanish, African and Caribbean influences that you really won’t find anywhere else.”

A Hurricane, a drink made famous at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, will get the party started. Salmon Dave’s makes the fruity concoction of tropical juices and rum using O’Brien’s secret recipe.

Crescent City entrees include Voodoo salmon with red beans and dirty rice ($22) and cast-iron blackened redfish with cheddar-andouille sausage mashers ($24). Bourbon Street shrimp are prepared in a Cajun tomato ragout ($21). Creole strip steak is served with a French onion potato gratin ($22). French Quarter bouillabaisse is whitefish, scallops, shrimp, mussels, clams and vegetables in a saffron-tomato broth ($23).

The celebration’s main attraction is the “Taste of N’awlins Feast,” offering steak Creole, Bourbon Street shrimp and Voodoo salmon on a platter with jalapeno cornbread and fried green tomatoes ($34.95). Visit the restaurant on Sundays and save $10 on the feast. The Davey “Gravy” Kasper Trio plays your Dixieland favorites on Sunday, beginning at 6 p.m.

Visit the Burntwood Tavern now through March 1 and you can dine on Mardi Gras specials such as seafood gumbo, crawfish cakes and barbecued shrimp. There is a meal-sized crawfish Caesar salad, jambalaya and blackened chicken. The restaurant is also open for brunch on Sunday. Phone 440-333-6700 for reservations. The Burntwood Tavern is at 19304 Detroit Road in Beachcliff Market Square.